Break down loading mechanism



April 17, 1934. E. KELLER BREAK DOWN LOADING MECHANISM Filed April 1,1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l 1 l L A} INVENTOR April 17, 1934.

Filed April 1, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EM/L. KELLER ATTORNEYS- E.KELLER 1,955,551

BREAK DOWN LOADING MECHANISM Filed April l, v 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ll e7\\ INVENTOR EM/L KELLER ATTORNEY6- April 17, l 34o KELLER 1,955,551

BREAK DOWN LOADING MECHANISM Filed April 1, 1951 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 N asINVENTOR EM/L KELLER Patented Apr. 17, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICESteel Corporation, igan a corporation of Mich- Application April 1,1931, Serial No. 526,977

12 Claims.

This invention relates to loading mechanism and particularly to animproved sheet-loading mechanism which transfers sheets from the rollsof a rolling mill and stacks them in vertical piles upon a platform,cradle or similar device which is readily movable from the vicinity ofthe mill.

In the co-pending application of J. H. Steele, Serial No. 485,019, filedDecember 29, 1930, and assigned to the assignee of the presentinvention, a sheet loading mechanism was disclosed wherein the sheetswere moved along a conveyor toa table on which a frame was tiltable tocause the sheets to slide therefrom onto a cradle where they wereretained in vertical position. The cradle was carried by a truck whichwas automatically movable laterally from the conveyor and table, a

predetermined amount each time a motor was actuated, to regulate thenumber of sheets which were disposed in each stack. The platform orcradle was removed from the truck, after a predetermined number ofstacks of sheets had been disposed thereon, by a crane or other suitablelifting device and a second platform was placed upon the truck to befilled with a plurality of stacks of sheets in the above mentionedmanner.

My present invention provides improved means for handling and stackingthe sheets which may be accomplished automatically by a motor or similaractuating device and which may be adjusted to handle sheets of varioussizes.

Accordingly, one object of my invention is to provide a conveyor fortransferring and stacking a plurality of sheets of metal as they aredelivered from the rolls of a mill, which is an improvement over similartypes of structure heretofore employed.

Another object of my invention is to provide a tiltable frame for aconveyor of the above mentioned type, which shall cause the sheets toslide therefrom into angular position on a platform, after which acontinued movement in rotation of the frame causes the end thereof tomove the sheets into vertical position.

A further object of my invention is to provide an actuating mechanismfor the frame of the conveyor which moves it in o tiltable and beyond avertical position for effecting the stacking of the plates.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a carriage forsupporting a platform upon which the sheets are stacked, which ismovable laterally from the conveyor and which supports a mast whereonretaining means are provided for supporting thesheets in stackedvertical position.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for regulating theheight of the engaging and supporting means for the sheets and forpermitting its rotation about the mast to enable a crane or similarcarrying mechanism to engage and remove the platforms from the truck.

Numerous other objects and features of novelty of my invention will beeither specifically pointed out or will become apparent when referring,for a better understanding of my invention, to the following descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is abroken view, in side elevation, of a conveyor and stacking mechanismwhich embodies features of my invention. til

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end View, partly in section and partly in elevation, of thestructure shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 1,taken along the line 4-4 thereof.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view, partly in section, of the mast of thestructure shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged broken sectional view of the structure shown inFig. 1, taken along the line 66 thereof.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged broken view of a structure, similar to that shownin Fig. 3, illustrating a modified form which my invention may assume,and

Fig. 8 is a broken view of a structure, similar to that shown in Fig.'7, illustrating a further modified form of my invention.

My invention comprises in general a conveyor 10 which is mounted forpivotal movement on one end of a table 11 in prolongation thereof.Rollers 12 are disposed in angular relation on the conveyor 10,extending slightly above the supporting portion thereof, and a pluralityof wheels 13 are disposed on the table, the top surface thereofextending above the top members of the table. The conveyor 10 isprovided with an arcuate end 14 which is disposed adjacent to a billyroll 15 supported on the delivery side of a rolling mill 16 as shown inFig. 2.

A pair of wheels 17 support the outer end of the conveyor 10 for angularmovement about a pivot 18 which connects one side of the conveyor withthe table. In this arrangement, the end 14 of the conveyor 10 may berolled laterally to any point relative to the billy roll 15 forreceiving a sheet 19 as it is delivered from the mill 16, as shown inFig. 2. 1170 The angularly disposed rollers 12 shift the sheet laterallyacross the conveyor 10, as it is drawn therealong toward the table 11,to have the plate centered on the table as it is drawn across the wheels13 thereof.

As pointed out in the above-mentioned copending application, after aplurality of passes are made across a sheet of steel to reduce itsthickness, it becomes cooled to such an extent that it must be reheatedbefore the final thickness or gauge of sheet is obtained. The metal isrolled to less than twice the desired sheet thickness during the firstseries of passes through the mill and the sheets thus effected are thendelivered to my conveyor and table from which they are stacked for thepurpose of being conveyed to a pickling bath.

The sheets at this point of the rolling operation are known asbreak-downs which require the pickling operation in order to have thescale and dirt removed therefrom before they are again heated and passedthrough the mill. My conveyor eliminates the necessity of employing twoor more men for handling the sheets and stacking them in the propermanner for pickling. By having the stacking mechanism counterbalancedand operated through levers, motors or gears, the effort, heretoforerequired to operate similar stacking devices, is considerably reduced.

A pair of laterally extending arms 21, project from the side of thetable 11, for supporting a bar 22 upon which a frame 23 is pivoted. Theframe is provided with a plurality of wheels 24 and a roller 25 whichare disposed at right angles to the wheels 13 supported on the table.The frame is rotatable about the bar 22 and is provided with acounterweight 26 for balancing the weight of the frame about the bar.

The frame 23 is tiltable through an angle greater than 90 degrees by anarm 27 and a link 28, the former of which is rigidly attached to arotatable bar 29, the latter of which is pivoted to the arm and theframe. A handle 31 is attached to the end of the bar 29 as a means foractuating the arm 2'7 and the link 28, for rotating the frame about thesupporting bar 22. During this movement, the break-down is lifted fromthe wheels 13 of the table 11 by the wheels 24 of the frame, acrosswhich it rolls as the frame is tilted, for a purpose which will bedescribed more fully hereinafter.

A pair of rails 32 are disposed below, and in longitudinal relationwith, the frame 23 upon which a truck 33 is supported for movement awayfrom and toward the frame. A drum 34 is mounted on the side of the table11, opposite to that on which the frame 23 is pivoted, and is operatedby means of a hand wheel 35 and a ratchet wheel 36, to wind a cable 37thereon, in either direction of movement of the hand wheel. The cable 37extends downwardly from the drum 34 under a pair of pulleys 38, one end39 thereof being connected directly to the axle of the truck, the otherend40 thereof extending about a pulley 42, disposed at the opposite endof the rail 32 from that at which the pulleys 38 are mounted and isattached to the truck adjacent to the point at which the end 39 of thecable is attached.

With this construction, the truck 33 may be moved laterally of the frame23 by the clockwise movement of the hand wheel 35, after the ratchetwheel 36 has been disengaged by a finger 43 to permit the rotation ofthe hand wheel. The ratchet wheel and finger when engaged, prevent themovement of the truck away from the frame 23 by a force other than thatapplied through the wheel after the finger has been released from theratchet.

A hollow mast 44 is supported on the rear end of the truck 33, upon theupper end of which a closure member 45 is retained by a screw 46. Ahollow bolt 4''! supports a bracket member 48 in pivotal relation to thetop of the closure member 45 in which a ball race 49 is provided. A ballrace 51 is provided in the undersurface of the bracket member 48 inregistry with the ball race 49, the race 51 being closed at each of itsends for the purpose of retaining balls 52 therein. A pulley wheel 53 ismounted in the bracket 54 of the member 48, by a pin 55. A cable 56 issupported by the pulley in such manner as to extend through the hollowbolt 47 to within the mast 44.

The outer end of the cable 56 is connected to a bracket 57, disposed onthe side of a collar 58, which is in slidable relation to the mast 44,as shown more clearly in Fig. 6. A counterbalancing weight 59 isdisposed within the mast and supported on the opposite end of the cable56 for the purpose of counter-balancing the weight of the collar 58 andan arm 61 mounted thereon. The arm 61 is pivoted on trunnions 62, whichare supported on the side of the collar 58, and is retained insubstantially horizontal position through the engagement of theunderside of the arm with the bracket 57. A plurality of pivotal fingers63 are mounted in predetermined position along the arm 61 for a purposewhich will be explained hereinafter.

To retain the sleeve 58 in adjusted position relative to the mast 44, aninwardly biased pin 64 is mounted on one side of the sleeve, opposite tothat to which the arm 61 extends, that engages any one of a plurality ofholes 65 which are disposed in longitudinal vertical relation along therear side of the mast 44, A fulcrum 66 extends rearwardly from thesleeve 58 above the pin 64, on the end of which an actuating member 67is pivoted by a pin 68. The actuating member engages the inner surfaceof the head 69 of the pin 64, for

the purpose of effecting its outward movement against the bias of thespring 71, which retains the pin 64 in engagement with the hole 65. Bymeans of a member 67 the pin is withdrawn from the hole and the sleevemay be adjusted in height g by having the collar 58 moved longitudinallyalong the mast until the pin 64 engages another hole 65 for retainingthe sleeve and therefore the arm 61 at a predetermined height above theframe 23.

When the pin 64 is moved from the hole 65 the sleeve 58, and thereforethe arm 61, may be revolved about the mast, out of a position over thetruck 32. The counterbalancing of the sleeve by the weight 59 and theball bearing supported bracket member, permits an easy adjustment of thesleeve and arm 21 to any desirable position relative to the mast.

A pair of I-beams 72 are mounted laterally across the surface of thetruck 33, in spaced relation as shown in Fig. 3, for the purpose ofsupporting a platform 73, shown in dot and dash line, for receiving thesheets as they are tilted by the frame 23. The platform 73 is therebyspaced from the top surface of the truck 33, to permit a platform of alifting truck, or the chains of a crane, to pass thereunder for thepurpose of raising the platform from the beams 72 and for transportingthe platform along with the sheets stacked thereon, away from the mill.The platform 73 is provided with a plurality of holes (not shown) inwhich rods 74, shown in Fig. 3 in dot and dash lines, are insertable forretaining a predetermined number of break-downs in vertical stacks,which are spaced from each other by the bars.

The operation of my conveying and stacking device will now be described.As a sheet 19 passes from the mill 16 over the billy roll 15-, itengages the rollers 12 of the conveyor 16 and is drawn up the conveyorby a workman. During its upward movement, it is adjusted laterally,because of the inclination of the rollers 12, to be disposed centrallyof the table 11. The operator rolls the sheet 19 across the wheels 13until it is entirely on the table, when the same or a second operator,moves the handle 31 to cause the 27 to rotate in a clockwise directionto apply a force to the link 28, to tilt the frame 23.

The wheels 24. of the frame, lift the sheet out of engagement with thewheels 13 of the table and permit the plate to roll across the surfaceof the frame 23 laterally of the table until the end thereof engages thebar 74. The end of the sheet slides down the bar, as the table 23 iscontinued to be rotated, until it rests upon the platform 73 adja centto the lower end of the bar 74. Further movement of the frame 23 causesthe upper end thereof to rotate the sheet or break-down about its lowerend until it is in parallel relation to the bar 74'.

The sleeve 55 is adjusted to permit the sheet to pass under the arm 61and to just clear the undersurface of the arm in order that the sheetengages a finger 63 as it is tilted against the bar "74. The fingerreturns to its original position in '74 are to be placed across thefront surface of the stack in order to space the predetermined number'ofsheets from the next succeeding group.

As each succeeding row of bars is mounted in the platform 73 the handwheel 35 is actuated in aclockwise direction to move the truck 33, andtherefore the platform 73, away from the table to permit another groupof plates to be stacked thereon. In this manner the platform is entirelycovered with a predetermined number of spaced, stacked group of plateswhich are then platform raised and moved away from the beams 72; Thesleeve is then revolved to its original position and the pin 64 isbiased by the spring 71 into the hole of the mast.

If a truck, having a raisable platform, is ernployedfor moving theplatform 73 the stacks of sheets, the raisable platform is run under theplatform '73 which is raised from the beams 72 and moved along with thetruck laterally of the truck 33. In case the arm 61 should interferewith this movement, it may be tilted about the automatic actuating meansfor rotating the frame 23 toward and away from the table 11. In Fig. 7,I have shown a segment 75 of a gear which has been attached to the bar29, in place of the handle 31 heretofore referred to, and have provideda rack 76 which is slidable along a surface '7 7, in mesh with the teethof the gear segment 75':

to cause the segment and the bar 29 to be rotated. A cylinder 78 has apiston 79 mounted there-- in, from which a rod 81 projects through thefront end of the cylinder in engagement with the end of the rack '76 foreffecting its reciprocation.

A suitable fluid, such as air, oil, steam or the like, is conductedthrough pipes 82 and 83 to each end of the cylinder, the supply of fluidthrough either of which is controlled by a valve 84. When the valve isturned, to effect a flow of fluid through the pipe 82, the piston andtherefore the rack is moved toward the left, which movement causes thearm 27 to be rotated in a clockwise direction and the frame 23 to berotated away from the table 11. When the valve is reversed, to have thefluid flow through the pipe 83, the piston and the rack is reciprocatedto the right causing the arm to be rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection to return the frame 23 to horizontal position on the table 11.

In Fig. 8, I have shown a motor 85 provided with a gear 86 in mesh withthe gear segment 75. The gear 86 is actuated by the motor 85 through asuitable train of gears 87 having an idling gear which is insertable inthe gear train for the purpose of reversing the direction of rotation ofthe gear 86. A suitable magnet is employed for inserting the reversinggear in mesh with the gear train for operating the gear 86 in a reversedirection. It is to be understood that the gear train need not beprovided with an idling gear when the motor itself is reversed bychanging the direction of fiow of current therethrough, which may beeffected through a double-throw switch in a well known manner. In eitherarrangement the reversing of the rotation of the arm 27, for causing theframe 23 to be tilted against the top surface of the table, will beeffected.

A circuit to a switch 92 isconnected either directly to the motor forreversing its rotation or to a magnet (not shown) which inserts theidling gear in the gear train, for eifecting a reversal of rotation tothe gear 86. To have the reversing operation occur automatically, afterthe table 23 has reached a predetermined angle, I have provided asuitable switch actuating mechanism which will now be described.

A rod 88 is supported on the table for sliding movement in bearings 89and has, on its outermost end an element 91 mounted in the path ofmovement of the arm 27 which effects the movement of the rod to the riht. as the frame 23 reaches the end of its clockwise rotative movement.This movement of the rod actuates the switch 92 to either reverse thedirection of flow of current to the motor or to actuate the magnet. forthe purpose of inserting the idling gear in mesh with the gear train,either of which actuations effects the reverse rotation of the gear 86which returns the arm 27 and therefore the frame 23 to a horizontalposition.

A bell crank 93 has one arm mounted in the path of movement of the frame23, while the other arm engages a collar 94 mounted in fixed relation tothe rod 88. The engagement between the arm of the bell crank and thecollar causes the rod 88 to be moved to the left when the opposite armof the bell crank is engaged by the frame 23 as it returns to horizontalrelation with the table 11. The switch 92 is actuated by the rod, as itmoves to the left, to open the circuit to the motor or to the reversingmagnet and when another break-down has been moved upon the table 11, thestarting button of the switch 92 is actuated to complete th circuit tothe motor, which caused its actuation through the above described cyclefor effecting the stacking of the breakdowns.

It will thus be seen that I have provided an improved stacking device,for sheets of metal in the nature of break-downs, which is automatic inoperation and which eliminates the manual eifort heretofore required forplacing the plates in stacks. A counter-balancing means is employed onthe stacking frame and also on the support for the retaining bar whichis adjustable, and which may be moved vertically on a mast or revolvedthereabout with very little effort. A hand wheel is provided for movingthe platform and the truck laterally of the table as the breakdowns arestacked thereon and controlling means is provided adjacent to the handwheel for operating the actuating means for the stacking frame, thetilting of which may be accomplished automatically.

While I have described and illustrated several embodiments of myinvention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges, omissions, additions and substitutions may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, as setforth in the accompanying claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a sheet handling device which includes in combination, asubstantially horizontal table for receiving said sheet, a frame mountedin pivotal relation thereto for removing the sheets from the table,rollers on said frame over which the sheet is advanced when the frame isinitially tilted, and means for tilting said frame through an anglegreater than ninety degrees relative to said table for causing thesheets to slide therefrom and for moving the sheets to a verticalposition thereafter.

2. In a sheet handling device including, in combination, a substantiallyhorizontal table for receiving said sheets, a frame pivotally mounted onsaid table for removing the sheets therefrom, rollers on said frame overwhich the sheet is advanced when the frame is initially tilted, andmotor means for tilting said frame to and from said table through anangle greater than ninety degrees.

3. A sheet handling device which includes, in combination, asubstantially horizontal table for receiving said sheets, a framepivotally mounted on said table for angular movement laterally thereof,rollers on said frame over which the sheet is advanced when the frame isinitially tilted, a fluid actuating device for tilting said framethrough an angle greater than ninety degrees, to and from said table forremoving the sheets therefrom, and means for controlling the actuationof said device.

4. In a sheet handling device which includes, in

combination, a substantially horizontal table for receiving said sheets,a frame mounted in pivotal relation thereon, rollers on said frame overwhich the sheet is advanced when the frame is initially tilted, meansfor tilting said frame through an angle greater than ninety degreesrelative to said table, the first portion of the movement causing thesheet to he slid into angular position while the last portion of themovement causes the unpivoted end of the frame to engage the sheet andraise it to vertical position.

5. In a device for stacking sheets as they are delivered from a millwhich includes, in combination, a conveyor upon which the sheets aremoved, a movable element for receiving said sheets, a tiltable frame fortransferring the sheets from said conveyor to said element, a mast onsaid element, a sleeve slidable on said mast and an arm extending fromsaid sleeve for engaging and retaining the end of said sheets.

6. In a device for stacking sheets on a member including, incombination, a conveyor upon which the sheets are moved, a tableassociated with said conveyor, means on said table for rotating thesheets through an angle of substantially ninety degrees, a movableelement for receiving said sheets, a mast on said element, a sleeveslidable on said mast, an arm supported on said sleeve and means forpositioning said sleeve on said mast.

'7. In a device for stacking sheets on a member including, incombination, a conveyor upon which the sheets are moved, a tableassociated with said conveyor, means on said table for rotating thesheets through an angle of substantially ninety degrees, a movableelement for receiving said sheets, a mast on said element, a sleeveslidable on said mast, an arm supported on said sleeve, means forpositioning said sleeve on said mast and means for counter-balancing theweight of said sleeve and arm.

8. A movable element for receiving the sheets from a stacking machinewhich includes, in combination, means for moving said element, a mastmounted on said element, a sleeve on said mast, a plate enclosing thetop of said mast and provided with a raceway, a pulley bracket mountedfor angular movement on said plate having a cooperating raceway, ballbearings in said raceway, a cable extending over said pulley engagingsaid sleeve and a member engaging the other end of said cable forcounterbalancing the weight of said sleeve.

9. In a device for stacking sheets, a hollow mast for supporting a sheetretaining element for longitudinal and rotatable movement thereon, aplate provided on the top of said mast having a raceway, a pulleybracket pivoted on said plate and provided with a cooperating raceway,ball bearings in said raceway, a cable extending over said pull y andthrough said pivot within said mast having one end connected to saidsleeve and a weight within said mast attached to the other end of saidcable.

10. A hollow mast supported on a movable element for positioning aplurality of sheets thereon, a sleeve longitudinally and rotatablymovable upon said mast for supporting said arm, a plate on the top ofsaid mast provided with a raceway, a pulley bracket pivoted on saidplate and provided with a cooperating raceway, ball bearings in saidraceways, a cable extending'over said pulley, one end of which isattached to said sleeve, the other end of which extends within the mastloO and a weight within said mast supported on the end of the cableextending therewithin.

11. A hollow mast supported on a movable element for positioning anengaging arm for a plurality of sheets which are stacked on saidelement, a sleeve longitudinally and rotatably movable on said mast forsupporting said arm, a plate on the top of said mast provided with araceway, a pulley bracket pivoted on said plate and provided with asegment of a raceway in cooperating relation with said raceway in theplate, ball bearings retained in the segment of the raceway andcooperating with the raceway in the plate, a cable extending over thepulley and engaging the sleeve,

